Tuesday, 10 May 2016

THE ‘VERSE’ MOVEMENT: In three years’ time, the Poetry Society of Jamaica will mark its 30th anniversary, and in a bid to make the milestone a truly memorable one, the society’s leaders are looking to roll out a few major projects – chief among them the curiously titled ‘Verse versus Verse’ project. “By the time we reach 30 we should have implemented it. Right now it’s in the very foetal stages,” explains Yashika Graham, who emphasizes the regional outlook. “It will have us working with CXC students and younger students across the Caribbean to demystify Literature. [The project] will come in different forms, so we will be going to various schools, as well as bringing [students] here [to the Edna Manley College ampitheatre]. We also want to help implement poetry societies in schools across the Caribbean to facilitate the growth and the usual celebration of poetry.”

REEL WORLD: Some 80 filmmakers will have their work showcased during this year’s Greater August Town (GATT) Film Festival, now in its fourth year, taking place June 23-26 in the Second City under the theme “Telling Your Story.” In addition to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, the UWI-based organizers received submissions from Africa, North America, Latin America, China and Japan. “What is great is that in addition to the increased number [of submissions], we are also receiving a diversity in terms of subject matter,” notes Professor Ian Boxhill. “Due to the fact that our grads have the opportunity to showcase their work alongside established filmmakers they really get a chance to improve the quality of their work.” The festival’s awards presentation will be hosted by New Kingston’s Courtleigh Auditorium on June 26.

SALUTING THE HELP: Most of us know somebody who would make a strong candidate for the Heather Little-White Household Worker of the Year Award, won last year by Elaine Duncan (above). GraceKennedy has opened nominations for the awards, now in its third year, and are encouraging Jamaicans to nominate more men! “While we acknowledge the ladies, I want us to acknowledge that there are many men in our homes doing the same thing as the ladies,” says GK Financial Group CEO, Grace Bennett. The top male and female household workers (and their runners-up) will take home cash prizes and trophies. Send in your 200-word nomination letters to gracekennedy@gkco.com and to get more info log on to gracekennedy.com/householdworker. Nominations close June 6. Winners will be announced June 15.